The Chinese word "牌照" is a compound noun formed by combining two characters: "牌" (pái), meaning "plate", "sign", or "tag", and "照" (zhào), which in this context derives from "执照" (zhízhào), meaning "license" or "certificate". Together, they create a meaning that is more specific than the sum of its parts, referring specifically to an official "license plate" (as on a vehicle) or a "business license" issued by authorities. The formation follows a common Chinese linguistic pattern where two semantically related characters are joined to denote a single, concrete object or concept associated with official permission and identification.